1. Got the HD channels working on my 1st Cable Card.
2. Installed my 2nd. CableCard, but couln'd get it to work.
3. Increased signal stregnth going into the TiVo (can't hurt).
4. The tech suggested to his supervisor getting a few Cable Cards to try again this Saturday.
5. The tech also suggested getting me a Multi-Stream CableCard they have in stock as a field test.
6. Still pending confirmation on Saturday's visit.

If the supervisor goes with the tech's suggestions I may be able to the the 2nd S-Card on my S3 and the M-Card on my TiVo HD... which would be great! If that does happen I'll be able to return their SA8300HDC, get my $100 deposit back and pay only an extra $2 compared to what I'm paying now.

If I do get the M-Card, I'll try to find out if other clients can request M-Cards specifically and keep you posted.

5. The tech also suggested getting me a Multi-Stream CableCard they have in stock as a field test.
...
If I do get the M-Card, I'll try to find out if other clients can request M-Cards specifically and keep you posted....

Also, you'll want them to double check they have the Host ID right. Apparently, the Host ID pairing does matter for some channels and it was a problem for me not getting certain HD channels and the 400's. Once they fixed the Host ID on their end, it all worked beautifully.

Also, you'll want them to double check they have the Host ID right. Apparently, the Host ID pairing does matter for some channels and it was a problem for me not getting certain HD channels and the 400's. Once they fixed the Host ID on their end, it all worked beautifully.

Click to expand...

During the install, the tech. did provide the Host ID to the IT guy on the other end of the phone several times with no luck.

Judging by the anti-static bag the CableCard came in, it looked like it had been in storage for quite some time and it may have been damaged. However, channel 609 was working... which seemed kind of odd if in fact the CableCard was damaged. I guess I'll have to wait until Saturday...

So, you got the music channels (400's) working?

Thanks for the heads up, I'll try to remember the importance of the Host ID if I run into any more trouble.

So far I've had 4 visits from Onelink to try to install the Second CableCard (S-Card) on my S3. One Card was simply damaged and the other 2 just could not be configured properly.

They did, however, manage to pair my working cable card with the HostID and now I can listen to the music channels (in the 400's).

They are trying to figure out what the next step should be and I'm waiting to hear from them. I keep pushing them to give me 2 Multi-Stream CableCards (one for my S3 and one for my TiVoHD), but apparently they are still trying to figure out how much to charge for them.

That is weird. I didn't have any issues but then again, I can't get the music channels working.

Click to expand...

Yes, it is weird... the only thing I can think of is that the settings need to be different for the second CableCard because I'm in the Levittown area, which works almost like an independent Cable Company for some reason.

Anyhow, I'm supposed to get Multi-Stream CableCards tomorrow... But I'm not holding my breath since they've said that before and they end up showing up with S-Cards.

For the record, I don't care much for the Music Channels but its a sign that the Card is properly configured.

For the record, I don't care much for the Music Channels but its a sign that the Card is properly configured.

Click to expand...

Me neither, but I was telling them that they either provide the channels or stop charging me the $8.95 for 'Digital Access' channels. Once I requested that, they got the channels working (I would've preferred the elimination of the 8.95, but oh well).

Interesting that they are trying to figure out how much to charge for them. Hopefully it's less than $6.50 that I'm paying now for my two S-Cards ($1.75 / per card, + $3.00 for additional outlet [ the 2nd s-card is considered an additional outlet, so I get slapped an additional $3.00.. bastards]).

Are you talking to someone specifically within OneLink? I can give 'em a call too and put more pressure on distributing the M-cards.

Interesting that they are trying to figure out how much to charge for them. Hopefully it's less than $6.50 that I'm paying now for my two S-Cards ($1.75 / per card, + $3.00 for additional outlet [ the 2nd s-card is considered an additional outlet, so I get slapped an additional $3.00.. bastards]).

Click to expand...

Are you telling me you are only paying $6.50 for 2 CableCards, including the HD Channels? Have you actually received an invoice?

I was told that the pricing was like this:

1. $1.75 Rental of each Cable Card
2. $6.50 Digital Access for each Cable Card
3. HD Channels as follows:
a) If you ony have Cable Service with them:
i) $16.00 the first Cable Card
ii) $6.00 each additional Cable Card
b) If you have 2 services with them (Cable + Internet or Telephone), which is my case.
i) $11.00 the first Cable Card
ii) $6.00 each additional Cable Card
c) If you have all 3 services with them.
i) $6.00 the first Cable Card
ii) $6.00 each additional Cable Card

Are you talking to someone specifically within OneLink? I can give 'em a call too and put more pressure on distributing the M-cards.

Click to expand...

Yes, I've been talking with Esther Curbelo. She's been very helpful, patient and enthusiastic about providing me with M-Cards. It looks like there is someone else in their office that is providing some resistance to release them to the public.

If I manage to get the M-Card I'll ask her how others (you guys) should ask for this service.

3. HD Channels as follows:
a) If you ony have Cable Service with them:
i) $16.00 the first Cable Card
ii) $6.00 each additional Cable Card
b) If you have 2 services with them (Cable + Internet or Telephone), which is my case.
i) $11.00 the first Cable Card
ii) $6.00 each additional Cable Card
c) If you have all 3 services with them.
i) $6.00 the first Cable Card
ii) $6.00 each additional Cable Card

I looks like a lot, but I haven't received any invoice including all these services, so I'm not sure how much I'll end up paying untill I see it.

Click to expand...

In Northern Virginia, my situation is this:
I have expanded basic cable (not digital, no cable boxes) with Internet service. I added 2 CableCards and was told my bill would not change. I then found out they screwed something up, and my bill was going WAY up. (They automatically added a digital charge to EACH card.) I finally called enough times to get things straight. NO additional charges. I still get expanded basic plus about a half-dozen HD channels. (No additional outlet charges.)

The one interesting thing was that they no longer offered an HD "package" for $5/mo. It does look like that package is now $10/mo. The key as far as I could tell was getting things offered as "packages". Otherwise, they tack on charges to EACH cable card. For example, they had mistakenly added digital service at $12 PER CARD, but I could have gotten the digital package for $15. Then I think they tacked on HD at $10 PER CARD.

Frankly, this is all such a mess that it's almost pointless to have a country-wide Comcast web-site at all. Clearly each local franchise has LOTS of leeway in what they charge.

In Northern Virginia, my situation is this...
Frankly, this is all such a mess that it's almost pointless to have a country-wide Comcast web-site at all. Clearly each local franchise has LOTS of leeway in what they charge.

Click to expand...

Thanks for your input!

I'm sure they don't even know how much I'll end up paying, since they basically "just started" providing CableCards "openly".

I'm concentrating on getting the service that I want for the moment, the next step will be to get it a reasonable price.

It is somewhat comforting knowing that we're not the only ones having these kind of issues... Thanks again for your input.

One card fills the second slot of my S3 and the other is on my TiVoHD...

Special thanks to this Forum, Joybob, prpilot and the rest of the gang that put enough pressure on Onelink to make this happen.

If you are interested in getting a MultiStream Card you can contact Esther Curbelo via email (esther.curbelo@onelinkpr.com) or telephone (787-622-1473, ext. 2316). It may take several visits, but she'll make things happen.

Funny story... After I got all my CableCards working with the HD channels I went to the Onelink office to return the SA8300HDC, since I didn't need it anymore. The Service Rep was "efficient" enough that it took her 45 minutes to accept the HD-DVR back and remove the HD channels from all my CableCards, claiming that I needed their HD DVR to give HD access to the Cards. I verified that I has no HD channels when I got back home, called Esther Curbelo and she got them back in the system.

I'm very happy right now, so I don't want to think about how much I'll end up paying for the moment... I'm sure my next bill will show a bunch of partial charges and partial credits... the bill after that one will be the one that will give me the actual price and that may turn into out "second round" with Onelink regarding "reasonable pricing".

I see this in my bill too. But this is something that you would get charged anyway if you had a DVR. This gives you access to the music channels (400's) and the NBA League, MLB Season channels (500's), and pay-per-view-by-phone channels (300's). If you don't care about this service, I believe you can cancel it. You would also see this charge if you had their DVR.

3. HD Channels as follows:
a) If you ony have Cable Service with them:
i) $16.00 the first Cable Card
ii) $6.00 each additional Cable Card
b) If you have 2 services with them (Cable + Internet or Telephone), which is my case.
i) $11.00 the first Cable Card
ii) $6.00 each additional Cable Card
c) If you have all 3 services with them.
i) $6.00 the first Cable Card
ii) $6.00 each additional Cable Card

Click to expand...

That's correct, that's what I see in my bill ($6 per Cable Card since I have all the services with them).

If you are interested in getting a MultiStream Card you can contact Esther Curbelo via email (esther.curbelo@onelinkpr.com) or telephone (787-622-1473, ext. 2316). It may take several visits, but she'll make things happen.

Click to expand...

I'm waiting for 8am EDT so I can call and set up my appointment . My dad went to Costco in Bayamon yesterday and bought two TivoHD's.

Funny story... After I got all my CableCards working with the HD channels I went to the Onelink office to return the SA8300HDC, since I didn't need it anymore. The Service Rep was "efficient" enough that it took her 45 minutes to accept the HD-DVR back and remove the HD channels from all my CableCards, claiming that I needed their HD DVR to give HD access to the Cards. I verified that I has no HD channels when I got back home, called Esther Curbelo and she got them back in the system.

Click to expand...

That is freaking hillarious!!!! Sounds like Esther is a great resource within OneLink. 29 minutes before I can get my M-Card!!!!!

...
This gives you access to the music channels (400's) and the NBA League, MLB Season channels (500's), and pay-per-view-by-phone channels (300's). If you don't care about this service, I believe you can cancel it.
...

Click to expand...

I believe the $6.50 Digital Access also enables all channels 100 and above, but I'm not sure. I need to find out, because I really don't care about the 300's, 400's or 500's
Thanks!